The volunteers of Ann Arbor have rich and varied business backgrounds. Counselors share their business experience and knowledge in all aspects of small business. In addition, all counselors have specific areas of expertise, which are listed below.
Henry D. Kopicko - Chapter Chair Start-Up, Entity Selection, Business Plan, Contracting, Legal
Henry spent 23 years in the automotive industry in a number of functions, including business planning, engineering, and supervision. He holds an MBA and a law degree, with a concentration in business transactions. He presently has an active law practice focused on business law as well as real estate, probate and estate planning.
Muriel Converse – Chapter Vice-Chair Business Plan, Marketing, Market Research
Trained as an economist and survey researcher, Muriel founded a market research company specializing in customer satisfaction surveys and studies and general program evaluations whose annual sales grew to over $2 million.
Eugene Laporte – Chapter Secretary Financial plan, Administration
Gene was a Director at Merrill Lynch. His work and educational background include investments, human resources, law, marketing, and management.
Robert Crowner – Chapter Treasurer Business Plan, Financial Analysis, Engineering, Manufacturing
A former Professor of Management, Bob is experienced with business plans, financial analysis, and engineering and manufacturing management.
Gene Berrodin Start-Up, Marketing, Human Relations, Leasing v. Buying
Gene was one of the organizers of the NLC Mutual Insurance Company and served as Vice President. He has experience in organizing and managing non-profit associations.
Teresita dela Fuente Start-up, Business Plan, Financing, Marketing
While serving as Food Service Manager at the University of Michigan Health System, Tessie managed the Patient Food Services Division at the University Hospital and Kellogg Eye Center and, as a Certified Instructor from the Education Foundation of the National Restaurant Association also taught food protection management courses.
Praful ("P.C.") Dubal Start-Up, Marketing, Human Relations, Leasing v. Buying
As a pharmacist with an MBA in Marketing, "P.C." was responsible for the sale of many pharmaceutical products. His experience included business planning, management, marketing, personnel training, tradeshows, and coordinating conference special events.
Graham Fleming Start-Up, Financial Analysis, Taxes, Computers
Trained as a chemical engineer, Graham spent many of his later years on the financial end of a multi-national chemical company.
Tanya Garrett Legal, Intellectual Property
(Available for e-mail counseling only through www.score.org.) Tanya is a registered patent attorney with a background in Electrical Engineering. She practices exclusively in the field of Intellectual Property Law, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. She regularly advises clients with issues relating to IP law and new product development.
Mitchell Goodkin Marketing, Business Plans, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal
An attorney, licensed Professional Engineer, MBA and past chair of the Computer Law Section of the Michigan Bar, Mitch has experience with business, product liability, intellectual property and export law; computer maintenance; manufacturing; automation; engineering; systems analysis; programming; quality control/assurance; product planning; information systems management; engineering management; and assessment, legal protection, marketing and licensing intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks).
Karl Hauser Start-Up, M&A, Business Valuation, Real Estate, Engineering
As Vice President of Corporate Development for a large, privately owned company (almost $500 million in sales) Karl’s responsibilities included valuation of potential acquisitions, start-up management of new acquisitions, and contract negotiations.
James Krick Start-Up, Gov’t. Regulation, Collections, Non-Profit
Hank McQueen Marketing, Human Resources, Administration
Santosh Mehra Business Plan, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Financial Planning
James Patton Start Up, Accounting, Finance, Cost Estimating, Importing, Insurance
Educated as an engineer and accountant, James worked for 25 years as a financial and operations manager in the ferrous metals industry; then, served six years as a gubernatorial-appointed official in state government.
Donald Pobuda Administration, Human Resources, Financial Plan, Management
Don is a retired School Superintendent. In this position he was involved with finance, personnel, building programs, union contracts, and curriculum development.
Peggy Ann Pobuda Retail, Marketing, Start-up, Business Plan
As Regional Manager with Ethan Allen, Peggy was responsible for the profitability and continued growth of stores in three states and Canada, and was involved in hiring, budgets, marketing and the planning of relocations and new construction.
Arthur Weeber Retail, Restaurant Management
Mark Winterhalter Administration, Business Plan, Computer Information Systems
Mark has over 28 years of experience in technology management in retail as a CIO, and prior to that as President of his own technology consulting firm.
Ed Zimmer Computer Software & Systems, Patents & Intellectual Property, Financing
(Available for e-mail counseling only through www.score.org.)
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